POLICE have drawn up a list of gangsters involved in a bitter drugs war which led to the murders of teenagers Craig Barker and Michael Singleton.

POLICE have drawn up a list of gangsters involved in a bitter drugs war which led to the murders of teenagers Craig Barker (left) and Michael Singleton.

Today they promised to put behind bars all 18 individuals at the centre of the dispute.

For legal reasons the rival factions, headed by two families, cannot be named and are referred to only as gang A and gang B.

Many are awaiting trial, and four are already in prison. There are five others who police are determined to bring down.

Gang A has eight key members and is led by a tough family from Everton. The top man is in custody awaiting trial over a vicious street attack, and his right-hand man is facing four prosecutions including a charge of making threats to kill.

The third leader still operates freely and is a prime police target.

Of the other members, one is awaiting trial charged with attacking a member of rival gang B, another is charged with a petrol bomb attack, a third with possession of class A drugs and a serious wounding, and a fourth is serving a nine-year sentence for grievous bodily harm.

The fifth is not accused of anything criminal but was the victim of a gangland shooting which police are treating as attempted murder.

Gang B holds the Kirkdale area but its leader is in custody awaiting trial over two alleged attempted murders, while his closest associate is in jail for firearmoffences.

But that has not stopped the gang from running a lucrative drugs business using pushers.

Three of them, including a high-level member, face no criminal charges. Of the rest, one key family member is awaiting trial for alleged drug offences, and another is to stand trial over an alleged arson attack on gang A.

One gang B associate is accused of an attempted murder and two are in prison, one for GBH and the other for possession of guns.

Craig Barker, 19, and Michael Singleton, 18, were killed in separate shootings in the city earlier this month. Last week Mr Barker's mother Sheila pleaded with the gangs to stop the killings.

Merseyside police assistant chief constable Ian McPherson said the force was "the biggest gang" in the area and they would not be allowed to bring terror into people's lives.

Crimestoppers helps to close down gangsters' safe houses>>>>

Crimestoppers helps to close down gangsters' safe houses>

THE two factions involved in the north Liverpool drug war have a web of safe houses where they store guns and drugs.

Police want ECHO readers in Everton and Kirkdale to help them identify the premises.

If they get enough information, police will raid the houses within 48 hours.

Crimestoppers has drafted in extra staff from today to deal with calls which will be treated anonymously.

Superintendent Alan Cooper said: "There are a lot of good people in the communities. We want to help get rid of those who bring crime to the area.

"Residents see what is going on and I would urge them to call Crimestoppers with any information they have about houses which are being used for illegal activity.

"Crimestoppers can be called in total confidence.

"I promise that we will act on that information. If we get calls about a certain address we will get a search warrant.

"That house will then be raided. Merseyside police have a had a lot of success in north Liverpool over the last year in taking firearms and drugs off the streets."

Police say gangs use teenagers on bikes to deal the drugs. They want people to report any suspicions they have as soon as possible to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.